Castel del Monte, 1966 Red Wine

Description

1966 Tenuta Rivera Castel del Monte

Overview:

A rare and historic red from Puglia's Castel del Monte appellation, this 1966 Tenuta Rivera reflects an era when southern Italian wines were produced in a firmly traditional style, emphasising local grape varieties and long maturation. Now approaching sixty years of age, the wine offers a fascinating expression of mature Castel del Monte, showcasing the savoury complexity and evolved character that can develop with careful cellaring.

Appearance:

Deep garnet in colour with brick-orange highlights at the rim, showing extensive maturation and graceful evolution.

Nose:

Fully evolved and expressive, revealing dried black cherry, plum and fig, layered with leather, tobacco leaf and dried Mediterranean herbs. Subtle balsamic notes, gentle spice and hints of dried citrus peel develop with aeration, adding further complexity.

Palate:

Soft, mature and harmonious, with fully resolved tannins and sufficient acidity to maintain freshness and structure. Flavours of dried black fruit, fig and savoury fruit compote are complemented by notes of leather, herbs and subtle spice. The wine retains a distinctive southern Italian character, combining warmth and generosity with mature tertiary complexity.

Finish:

Medium to long in length, smooth and savoury, with lingering notes of dried fruit, herbs and gentle spice.

Decanting:

Stand upright for 2–3 days prior to opening to allow sediment to settle. Decant slowly and carefully through a fine strainer immediately before serving at 16–18°C. Fragile corks are common with wines of this age; any cork fragments should be removed during decanting.

About the Producer:

Tenuta Rivera is one of Puglia's most respected historic estates, recognised for championing the wines of Castel del Monte and the region's native grape varieties. The winery played an important role in establishing the reputation of northern Puglia as a source of structured, age-worthy wines capable of expressing both regional identity and long-term ageing potential.

Condition

Good conditions